Notorious Nora Sutherlin is famous for her delicious works of erotica, each one more popular with readers than the last. But her latest manuscript is different - more serious, more personal - and she's sure it'll be her breakout book…if it ever sees the light of day. Zachary Easton holds Nora's fate in his well-manicured hands. The demanding British editor agrees to handle the book on one condition: He wants complete control. Nora must rewrite the entire novel to his exacting standards - in six weeks - or it's no deal. Nora's grueling writing sessions with Zach are draining…and shockingly arousing.

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Publisher's Summary

Notorious Nora Sutherlin is famous for her delicious works of erotica, each one more popular with readers than the last. But her latest manuscript is different - more serious, more personal - and she's sure it'll be her breakout book…if it ever sees the light of day.

Zachary Easton holds Nora's fate in his well-manicured hands. The demanding British editor agrees to handle the book on one condition: He wants complete control. Nora must rewrite the entire novel to his exacting standards - in six weeks - or it's no deal.

Nora's grueling writing sessions with Zach are draining…and shockingly arousing. And a dangerous former lover has her wondering which is more torturous - staying away from him…or returning to his bed?

Nora thought she knew everything about being pushed to your limits. But in a world where passion is pain, nothing is ever that simple.

This book had spiked my curiosity through Goodreads, so I decided to listen. I personally enjoy this listen; HOWEVER, this book is NOT a gushy romance story nor does it have your typical happy ending. It's content will be very controversial to many.

The book is powerfully written and explained the BDSM lifestyle very well. It does pull in a large Catholic religious twist in which many will take offense. Being Catholic myself and brought up in Catholic school, this twist was moot to me.

The narrator was powerful and brought this powerful story to life. However, I am now on the second book and they did not use the same narrator. I am so disappointed for this choice by the writer for the book is talking on a complete different life and NOT a good one.

This is a very good audiobook, but it is hardcore erotica, not romance. I don't know why this is in the romance category. This is the book of the year for many readers, but it will be offensive to some. It's disturbing and taboo, but brilliant and thought-provoking.

I suggest you look up the book on amazon or goodreads before being disappointed, if it's not content you are comfortable with.

Not for everyone!! Religious undertones, Bdsm, and highly taboo content.

I would recommend this book for readers who enjoy good writing, character development, and plot twists. It's not, however, for everyone. It definitely has darker elements, and there are some themes that some readers will probably find disturbing. Just something to be aware of going in

What did you like best about this story?

I liked that this was a unique story that was well-written and intelligently told. The characters were flawed, but memorable.

What does Aeron James bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The voice that he chose for each character seemed to bring out their personalities. Hearing the story always adds to the experience.

This is the story of an erotica writer who is determined to work with a challenging literary editor in an effort to turn her latest work into something more -- something better. Their relationship is the fulcrum of the novel, and it is through the eyes of the editor that we are able to see into her world with an almost unflinching view.

I'll admit that it's taking me a while to process my thoughts on this one. The psychological and emotional dynamics between the characters were fascinating. The author has created a work of fiction that IS something more. By the end you understand the deeper needs of the main character -- and given the subject matter, that is an amazing feat handled deftly and with compassion.

I couldn't stop listening to this story, needing to know what would happen next, but I had to pace myself because it was very visceral and I found myself immersed in the story at odd times during the day, whether listening or not.

(I'll admit that when it came to the more intense scenes of S/M, I felt myself recoil, but those scenes, while powerful, are not frequent.)

My only caveat, and it is a small one, is due to the reader. He was excellent when portraying the voice of the editor, which is a large part of the story. But his interpretation of Nora was unfortunate. He made a sexy, teasing woman sound evil and threatening more often than not, and I found myself wishing for a female voice worthy of Nora's personality. Still, it did not overwhelm my enjoyment of the book.

I know there are sequels to this one, but I'm going to need a little time before I take the next one on. I hope it's as good as the first.

Would you consider the audio edition of The Siren to be better than the print version?

If you can't deal with Bondage, and S/M then this is not the book for you. It is hot and has a great story, with many sub stories. I won't go into much, but if you are into Good story telling and Erotica, and the F word won't blow your mind this book was great. The ending was surprising and well worth the credit. My Opinion

I wouldn't classify this in the Romance section, but I'm glad I found it in this category. I think this book is more about learning to love and forgive oneself. You have the two main characters learning to work with each other, and in that process and sexual tension, they learn more about their true selves than "falling in love." It was well written and captivating.

Of all three books this one is narrated the best. I've heard better narrators but Aeron James has a pleasant voice and does accents quite well. I've always found male narrators doing female voices disconcerting though. I think Davina Porter is the only one who can really pull off every accent and perform both male and female roles. The story itself is very exciting and I wouldn't hesitate to listen to it again.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Siren?

That would have to be when Grace showed up at Nora's house and their heart to heart.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Aeron James?

Absolutely.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I wanted to however life has a way of interfering, lol.

Any additional comments?

It's difficult to find a well written erotic novel. If you liked 50 Shades but grew tired of the predictability and incessant use of words like murmur and clambered then you will fall head over heels with this series. Tiffany is a very talented and sophisticated author.

After finishing 13 hours of audiobook, I feel a strange sense of loss now that I'm done with this book. "The Siren" crushed and destroyed all of my expectations. It was nothing like I had anticipated.

It is NOT:

EroticaA traditional romance novelCliche-ridden

Let me break it down for you. This book is Tiffany Reisz writing a novel about an author writing an erotic novel. Confused yet? I was. I was expecting a down and dirty explicit BDSM erotic romance. That is not at all what I got. Though the content is taboo (it can't get much more taboo, honestly, without the addition of incest), there is very little on page sex. What sex content is shown is surprisingly, shockingly tasteful.

Much of the actual book mirrors what Nora (the erotic author and main character) is going through in the writing of her novel. The sex scenes serve only to further the plot line (like Nora's editor told her to do)- nothing is gratuitous. In fact, this story is edited to perfection. It is really and truly flawless in its execution.

What I liked best about this book is that it is the overlapping plot lines that sort of seamlessly come together in the end. There is Zach, the editor having serious marital issues, Nora and her torrid relationship with Soren and Wes, Nora and her writing process, and the whole BDSM dynamic that colors each relationship (for good or for bad). The different story lines don't interfere with one another but rather help progress each other.

Nora is a complicated and compelling character that will stick with me for a long time. I found her to be utterly fascinating. However, that brings me to why my rating is 4 stars instead of 5 stars. I felt very detached from Nora. I was not emotionally invested in her or rest of the characters. Mentally, I was so intrigued and loved the story, but it was more from a clinical point of view. I never grew teary eyed or screamed or got nervous- it was all in my head and not in my heart, I'm afraid. I adored the story but it wasn't an emotional read for me.

A word about the audio version of this book: I loved, loved the narrator for this one. His Zach and Grace voices were flawless, as was his Soren voice. I even forgive him the iffy Nora voice and the HORRIBLE Wes accent because he did such a perfect job narrating the rest of the story. My favorite narrator on any audiobook thus far.

A word of warning, I didn't finish the book, I called it quits after 5 hours, just not my kind of book. Without having my review pulled for spoilers let me explain. There was no love story, I like listening to romance. There were no steamy scenes in 5 hours, I like steamy scenes. And while I have no problem with the idea of Doms or subs or even willing collared slaves I take great exception to the hardcore S and M in this book. Apparently in this context S and M basically means torture, violence, beatings without pleasure, zero sub care oh and the "training" started when the female lead was a teen and the Dom was 30 something. This didn't read like a loving empowering relationship it read like a man who likes to beat a woman until she can't stand and only then have sex with her and then he is done.

I'm sure there are relationships out there like this, but I don't see the point in it, it's just damaged people damaging each other more. Nothing sweet about it, not even drawing a bath for the sub that was just beaten...I don't like the book and feel no compulsion to finish it.

I don’t remember which category romance or erotica this book was classified in, however, you get both and much more with this book. I listen to a lot in the combined category and most of the time it’s full of sex scenes, not well written and typically been there read that! This book is truly refreshing and unique since it has a plot, great writing, romance, passion, hot/erotic scenes with “cliff hanging” anticipations. If that is not enough, the author combines many “non vanilla”, taboo and scenarios that are typically seen as “socially deviant” demonstrating a unique and creative mind that breaks the mold for this category of book. After all how many more stories can we tolerate of a “kinky” billionaire that finds the unexpected ordinary woman outside his wealth and kink experience that is going to turn her to his world and ends up falling in love with her… Boring, please stop writing those. I find it interesting that the author describes the editing process of the book Norah is writing in great depth and how the editor is ripping it apart to make it a better book, It seems they put the same effort into providing us with a great book/listen.

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